Scout Picks

Salah and Sterling headline Gameweek 2 Scout Picks

Liverpool and Manchester City’s big guns are still important assets for Fantasy Premier League managers to own for Gameweek 2.

Once again, we have three premium options selected in our Scout Picks for this weekend, what we believe to be the best starting XI for the upcoming round of action.

This has been chosen using the Scout Squad selections made by David, Neale, Paul and Geoff earlier in the week.

For Gameweek 2 we line-up in 4-4-2 once again, this time coming in at £82.6m, £0.4m inside our budget of £83m.

Goalkeeper

Ryan scored nine points in Gameweek 1

Mathew Ryan (£4.5m) was an eleventh-hour addition to the Scout Picks after news of Adrian’s injury filtered around the Fantasy community. The Liverpool goalkeeper was originally given the nod but doubt over his starting place meant we had to drop in. Ryan is his replacement after facing no big chances in Gameweek 1 while West Ham could be without both Felipe Anderson and new signing Sébastien Haller.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Liverpool against Norwich

While Liverpool’s defence has not inspired confidence in Fantasy managers this week, Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) was still a popular option in the Scout Squad submissions. Neale, Paul and Geoff selected him as the best defender for Gameweek 2, David slotting him into second place. Despite conceding against Norwich, the right-back was top for key passes and big chances created at Anfield on Friday night.

Lucas Digne (£6.0m) was another hugely fashionable option according to the Scout Squad pundits, tipped by all four of them. While there are cheaper assets in the Everton defence, the £0.5m is worth paying this week for Digne’s involvement in set pieces. Watford conceded more chances from dead-ball situations between Gameweeks 21 and 38 last season. The Hornets also failed to register a single big chance in Gameweek 1, so a clean sheet is also on the cards for the Frenchman.

Neale and Geoff both selected Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£5.0m) in their Scout Squad selections ahead of Burnley’s visit to the Emirates stadium. Arsenal kept a clean sheet in Gameweek 1 and it was the right-back who got the assist for their only goal of the game.

After being the talk of the town for the last few weeks, John Lundstram (£4.0m) makes his Scout Picks debut for Gameweek 2. The Sheffield United asset faces a goal-shy Crystal Palace side this weekend and created two big chances in Gameweek 1, the joint-highest in the whole division.

Midfielders

Mohamed Salah scored against Norwich City in Gameweek 1

Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) remains our favourite option in the Liverpool attack ahead of the trip to Southampton. The Saints were particularly leaky at home last season, only Manchester United managing fewer clean sheets in front of their own supporters. Furthermore, Salah was top of the league for shots in the box and shots on target in away matches in 2018/19. Any concerns over his 120-minute outing midweek were eased by Jurgen Klopp’s assurances in his Friday press conference.

While Salah was the unanimous first-choice midfielder, Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) occupied the second-place spot for all our Scout Squad pundits. No player had as many shots on target as him in Gameweek 1, while Spurs did not look too assured at the back against Aston Villa.

Like his defensive colleague, Gylfi Sigurdsson (£8.0m) looks set to benefit from Watford’s vulnerability to set-pieces in Gameweek 2. The Icelandic international created 45 chances in home matches last season, only Eden Hazard and James Maddison fashioning more than that.

Something of a left-field inclusion in the Scout Picks this week is Norwich City midfielder Emi Buendía (£6.0m). We were a big fan of Teemu Pukki in the Scout Squad but needed to save some money for spending elsewhere. Buendía is not necessarily a massive step-down though. He created three chances at Anfield on Friday night and his role in set pieces could help unlock a Newcastle side that conceded the joint-most chances from dead-ball situations in the whole of 2018/19.

Forwards

Aubameyang got the only goal in Arsenal’s win at Newcastle on opening weekend

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) has a fantastic record of scoring against Burnley, with a brace in each of his last three matches facing the Clarets. He was also afforded the joint-highest number of big chances in home matches across the 2018/19 season.

There was plenty of backing for Bournemouth’s attack in the Scout Squad submissions but we, unfortunately, ran out of cash for one of either Callum Wilson or Ryan Fraser. Josh King (£6.5m) deputises for his Cherries colleagues then, as we expect a return to last season’s attacking form in an open game at Villa Park.

Substitutes

Martín Montoya (£4.5m) makes the bench this week, after Neale and Paul included him in their Scout Squad selection. The defender looks likely to retain his place at right wing-back for the visit of West Ham, who could be without key attacking personnel.

John McGinn (£5.5m) made a great start to life in the Premier League scoring on his top-flight debut at Spurs. Bournemouth come to Villa Park in Gameweek 2, with a defence that’s hard to trust, so we won’t be too shocked if McGinn gets more attacking returns this weekend.

As already mentioned, we didn’t have the cash for Teemu Pukki (£6.5m) in our final XI but we still think he will do well in Gameweek 2. He had three shots in the box against Liverpool, the same number he had per game in the Championship.

The Scout Picks Captain

As we mentioned last week, the Scout Picks now has a captain in the 2019/20 season.

This skipper is chosen using the conclusions of the latest Captain Sensible article and a four-way vote between David, Neale, Paul and Geoff.

Because the use of Fantasy Football Scout data is used so heavily in this process, the captain we choose each Gameweek will be known only to those who have signed up to Membership for the 2019/20 season.

It will be revealed to the public only when the deadline for the Gameweek has passed.

The Community Champion

Representing the community against the Scout Picks in Gameweek 2 is Hot Toddy.

They have opted for a 4-4-2 of: Leno; Digne, van Dijk, Coleman, Alexander-Arnold; Fraser, Martial, Sterling, Richarlison; Aubameyang, Pukki.

The community member who beats our picks by the biggest margin over the campaign will win a £100 Amazon Voucher and a place in our Contributors and Moderators League for the following season.

Unfortunately, our Community Champion did not submit a team in Gameweek 1.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 1

3,382 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    G2g?

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Digne
    Salah(C) Sterling Martial Perez Barkley
    Wilson Jota

    4.0 Kelly Rico Greenwood
    1 FT. 0.0 itb

    1. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Barkley imo

  2. Phil's Stamps
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    To the tune of some Abba song:

    Even if you don't come on, keep my 0.1, Bernando.
    Even if you never touch the ball, please no price fall, Bernando.

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pleeaase

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's inevitable !!

  3. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) sterling or salah or wilson (c)?
    B) start lundstram or kean or trossard ?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Salah or Sterling
      Trossard

  4. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lundstram, Dedoncker or Greenwood, who to start?

    1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstrom

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram

  5. Kub3
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    After so much deliberation today over who to captain between Salah and Sterling I’ve gone for Salah.

    If Spurs are going to be legitimate title contenders this season they have to start getting something from these types of games and I have a feeling Poch is going to set out to frustrate City. Southampton are going to try and make a statement at home after losing badly last week and they’re going to take the game to Liverpool which will play right into Liverpool’s hands and I can see Mané and Salah picking them off on the break.

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Agree with most of the things. But you've not at all considered Baldy & his team 😉
      He's best & his team is best atm. Can destroy anyone !!
      (Salah © as well*)

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Big 6 teams are parking the bus (unless Jose is the gaffer). and Southampton are not foolish.... they will park until they are scored on and have to attack

      1. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Should say Big 6 teams are NOT parking the bus

  6. JT11fc
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gtg and save FT?
    Ryan
    Trent Digne Zinc O'Connell
    Salah Sterling Perez Trossard BSilva
    Wilson

    Pope Pereira Greenwood Wickham

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yep
      G2G

  7. i am jose mourinho
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Should i bring auba in for kane and captain him or just captain one of kane , sterling ,wilson ?

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sterling is your man

      1. i am jose mourinho
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sterling will be then. High five

  8. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Trossard owners. What are you doing ??
    I'm thinking about waiting for one week & decide after that.
    Also have Guilbert in the team 😕 Frustrating picks both of them.
    Do we know Lundstram is nailed ?? Would need 0.5 to upgrade fraser to Martial anyway

    Thank you !!

    1. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Im giving trossard one more and if i had guilbert id give one more also

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate
        GL

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hold Trossard, Guilbert id be more concerned about but still only slightly

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thank you 🙂
        GL

    3. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stick with him this week.
      If he doesn’t start, good riddance.
      Might be sitting on a nice haul. I hope so anyway.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ha ha
        Expecting same. Boom or blast. Home game so can haul. Otherwise McGinn is the way out as of now
        Thank you 🙂
        GL

    4. some witty pun
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm holding because there isn't a good replacement at 6.0

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed
        Thank you.

    5. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Guilbert will come good, trust me.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Good to hear that 🙂
        Thank you !!

    6. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      So many Trossard owners! Why?
      Rule 1 in this game. Pick tried and tested week 1 outside of cheap defenders.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed with you Sir.
        It was a stupid pick 😕
        Hopefully he starts in gw 2
        Thank you

  9. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Playing Laundstarm over Wood is a good sign or no?

    Thoughts plz

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bad

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lol
      Have you seen Arsenal defend ??
      Start Wood mate

    3. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No way

  10. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go here?

    Heaton (Button)
    Alexander-Arnold Montoya Rico
    Salah(VC) Sterling Fraser Barkley
    Aubameyang(C) Haller King

    1st Sub: Dendoncker
    2nd Sub: Hanley
    3rd Sub: Diop

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Strong attack & cheap Defense 😮
      Like it mate.
      G2G

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Massively weak defense
      points per mil last year? DEFENDERS

  11. Aubaaaaa
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Moura to Richarlison

    Thoughts on the above move? Or should we avoid everton’s attack until we see then start scoring?

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'll hold

    2. Sonny “The Hitman&rdq…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Avoid Eve attack for now

  12. Sergeant Slaughter
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who to start?
    KWP or Greenwood

    1. Srv210
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Will Greenwood even play?

      1. Sergeant Slaughter
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have no idea

        1. Sergeant Slaughter
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          KWP looking at a 1 pointer

  13. Srv210
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anybody going for captain other than salah or sterling??

    I'm thinking of going aubameyang ,anybody with me??

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good Ebening 😉

    2. BAMBAA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If I had Auba I would probably captain him.

    3. gergin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I do not have Sterling and will never captain player 3 days after he played 120 min, so YES.

  14. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Captaining Digne over Salah is a good move ?

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tempting, right?
      Bad idea.

    2. Kub3
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

  15. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    VILLA FANS!

    Could Guilbert start this week or 100% no? Thank you

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      +1

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      *fan - Epic Fail and he's a closet Birmingham City fan anyway

      1. Klein
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Haha

    3. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes, he very well could. Think Elmo played first GW for that bit of solidarity, but soon enough Guilbert will take his spot. Hold.

      1. De Gea is GOAT
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks guys! Appreciate the tips. Can easily see him do some damage if he starts

  16. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What's Ndombele's role in the Spurs team who play 4231 most of the time - is he a b2b or CDM type of player ?

    1. Licky
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He seemed b2b, he was getting forward a little from what I saw, but I wouldn't necessarily expect many returns from him. He will for sure improve that Spurs team though.

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He was close to providing an assist as well, if not for Kane to put the header wide

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B2B against the weaker teams. Wouldn't expect much against City, he'll probably sit a lot deeper.

  17. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Everyone tells me patience. I am a serial hit taker and early tfr junkie.
    This year, week 1 I wait.

    Wanted Ings Pukkie and now .1 short. may as well be .5 short.

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I too, am trying to sit on my hands this year, and it’s not easy. You may be ok, though, as it’s far from clear Ings is nailed and the 0.1 will come back presumably soon.

  18. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A. Play Pope or Heaton
    B. Captain Sterling or Salah
    C. Play Laporte (TOT) or Rico (avl)

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Heaton
      Sterling
      Laporte

    2. BAMBAA
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Heaton, Salah, Laporte

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers all

  19. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Morning.
    A. Perez
    B. Mcginn + 1.0 million

    1. Phil's Stamps
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B. Allows more flexibility in these early days

  20. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Morning gents. Finally settled on this WC lot. Your thoughts and opinion would be valuable!

    Heaton 4.0
    VVD Dinge Dunk (Lund Rico)
    Salah Sterling Siggy McGinn (Dedonk)
    Kane Pukki Jota

    £0.0

    1. Pomp and Circumstance
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      captain--Auba or Salah?

      1. ppv
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have same choice. Could Laca start instead of Auba?

    2. JT11fc
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pretty solid although id have a city defender, in a 442 maybe?

  21. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5 mids for the bucks

    Pedro Lanzini Salah KDB Martial
    With Auba
    or Steling in the KDB slot and an 8 mil forward (Wilson)

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Option 2 - there are too many gud forward options this season that playing 2 or 3 upfront wud give good transfer options in the future I reckon

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I like Barnes Pukki Wilson Auba. That's all up front.
        Kane for Auba sometimes

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McGinn

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Very Good

  22. BAMBAA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Mings or Ings?

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mings, Bournemouth are shitty away.

      Playing King myself though.

    2. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mings vs old club. Baps monster

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is ings first choice at saints?

      1. BAMBAA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Team news says no but really not sure. I think hes gone from my team after this week anyway..

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Play Mings and you're essentially playing both.

  23. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lundstram or Kwp?

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram

  24. cylus11 ( Manager) - Russia…
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Laundstarm over Wood ?

    10 votes to decide plz

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No

  25. Lecky Legs FC
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just had a dream Josh King scored a rebound today for BOU vs Villa away at least my dream has hopes he will score some points me as a owner on the other hand...

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      King monster haul imminent.

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        We can only hope.

    2. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Pukki party pooper...!

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Nah Pukki will still deliver if your a new Orr current owner this GW Newcastle will be done by Buendia and him

        1. The Wanton Trader
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          This place will be unbearable if Pukki hauls.
          Has to be one of the most popular transfer in from what I’ve been reading this week. 🙂

          1. Lecky Legs FC
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Yeah the casuals will have bought him in for Newcastle at (H) I was tempted but I decided to roll my FT for next weekend fingers crossed King turns up and gets an assist maximum

            1. The Wanton Trader
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 7 months ago

              I’d prefer it if your dreams came true and he gets an assist. 😉

              1. Lecky Legs FC
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 7 months ago

                Me too least someone s confident about King eh? 😉

  26. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Dendocker (MUN), Hayden (nor) or Rico (avl)? Leaning towards Hayden because when else am I gonna play him...

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Dendoncker

  27. paganwinter
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Robertson, VVD, Digne
    Salah(c), Sterling, Sigurdsson, Barkley, Perez
    King, Jota

    Subs: Heaton, Lundstram, Rico, Greenwood

    a) Gtg
    b) Lundstram in instead of Perez
    c) Something else

    1. FPL Forward Thinker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I am playing Heaton and Pope on bench
      Otherwise g2g

      1. paganwinter
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Great. Thanks. Yea I was thinking maybe more save points for Pope. Think both will concede.

  28. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can we no longer click on our H2H opponents link to see their team?

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Are you talking about the FFS one?

  29. Xhaka_Laca
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Play Montoya or Lundstram?

  30. Klein
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any idea how the return of son will impact kane?

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’d imagine it will increase his chances of assists.
      Just worried a bit that it may affect his goal scoring output.